In the 1970's, we wore Prisoner of War (P.O.W.) bracelets. Today, we also keep others in our memories; Victims of Terrorism and Military Casualties. To keep the memory alive of those who have died at the hands of terrorists or fighting terrorism, we now also wear Memorial Bracelets.
People from all over the country are wearing bracelets from Memorial Bracelets located at www.memorialbracelets.com for their own very personal reasons. Below are some of the stories that we have received.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

During my last tour in V.N. on Yankee Station, my ship the USS Topeka clg 8 was attached to the carries group that T. Pilkington flew from. He went down about the time we were relieved and rotated stateside. While on Yankee Station, we were involved in numerous s.a.r pick ups. I ordered a replacement for my original Memorial Bracelet which broke after many years of hard and honorable wear. I left the military after 14 yrs. of active/reserve service. My oldest son followed in subs, and I have daughter on Enterprise today. He will never be forgotten as long as I live.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

The reason I wear this particular Memorial Bracelet is because this man was my team leader for a time while I was stationed in Okinawa as a Marine TOW gunner. Cotto was an incredible leader and friend. We heard of his death while we were on the front lines in Kuwait, and it was as if we had been hit too. Semper Fi Cotto!

Friday, June 25, 2010

The Vietnam Bracelet I purchased is in memory of a classmate of mine who was KIA in Vietnam just before I arrived "in-country". Doug is the only person I knew personally who was killed in Vietnam. I purchased another bracelet from a "commercial" website & it occurs to me that money merely went in somebody's pocket as profits. None of it went to anywhere else. Further, I had to provide the seller all the information to be put on the bracelet. I ordered this one (which I intend to wear proudly) because the site was connected to the Memorial and a percentage of the profits go where they'll do some good.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

I ordered my Memorial Bracelet to honor a dear friend, Sgt Donald J. Lamar II who was killed in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan on May 12. To myself, our friends and the rest of the community Donald is a true American Hero and will live on in our hearts forever, and now not only will he be in my heart forever, but I'm able to celebrate his life and his sacrifice each day with this bracelet on my wrist! :)

Thursday, June 17, 2010

I received my pewter dog tag today and it is perfect. I wear this for Lt Richard Homuth, a US Navy pilot missing since 5/23/67, over water in NV. He was the love of my life, never got over him and I shall wear this forever. Thank you so very much.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The idea of me of wearing my bracelet originally came from my uncle, who is still on active duty with the Army for over 20 years. He has worn his bracelet for over 8 years. I have always had a great respect for anyone that has served in any armed forces, that allows me to live my life without fear in our great country. I wanted to wear a name that is from my home state of Kentucky, and I came across Col Charles E. Shelton. After ordering my bracelet, I began to research Col. Shelton and began to find a man with an amazing story. I studied all I could about him so I may pass on his story and educate anyone that asks about my bracelet. I love the fact that I can speak about him and honor his name and family on a daily basis.

President Reagan once said "A country that forgets is fighting men, is a country that in itself will be forgotten." And I find this holds true every day, especially for all the men and women who gave thier lives for our freedom. I wear my bracelt to never forget and to spread the awareness to whom might take thier liberties for granted. I am honored and priviledged to wear my bracelet everyday and to never let anyone ever forget Col. Charles E. Shelton Owensboro, Ky.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

I will proudly wear my bracelet not in memorial of anyone, but in celebration of what my husband does every day. He is such a brave man and is in the fire service to make a difference in the community and for our family. Mine reads "Keith A. Bryan FF/EMT, Forest Hill Fire Rescue, 'Lord, please protect my man in blue'". I admire him so much for the sacrifices he makes with his time and his life, and I want to honor him every day and show the world how proud I am of him. He's worked hard and will forever be learning and furthering his career. To all those men & women in ANY kind of service......THANK YOU. You are appreciated in a quiet way every day.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

on November 7th, 1989, I picked a thin, red, aluminum band from a box of other red and silver bands. The name on it was CPO Michael J. Kustigan. He was a missing soldier from Viet Nam and would be my constant companion for over 20 years.

The simple band I picked out of the box was easy to take off, but it would be worn day and night, every day, rarely taken off. It would only be taken off for two operations and my wedding. I wore it so much that the red stain rubbed off unil it was silver and the letters had almost worn away. I wore it so much, that it broke.

The aluminum finally gave way after 20 years, 6 months and 6 days of constant wear. I couldn't bear to be without it. It had been a part of me for so long, I had to get a replacement. That's when I found your site, found his name, and got a much stronger, stainless steel one that I will hopefully wear for another 20+ years.

Andres H. Perez was a wonderful young man. We became friends our freshman year of high school back in 1997. We played football and had many classes together through out school. A great student and awesome lineman on the field and in the weight room, serious when needed and happy as hell the rest of the time! He was my "brown buddy" and I his "white buddy". Such a happy, smart, caring person that made an impact on many lives.

In 2001 right out of high school, Andres enlisted and began his journey with the Marines and went and fought the fight in OIF. He was unfortunately killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on November 14, 2004 due to a IED. He was laid to rest back in our home town of Santa Cruz, Ca where he is not forgotten, You can go there anytime of the year and find the flowers or flags left behind for one of our American heroes. His memory will never be erased from my memory and as I do my time in the Army I do it for him and this great nation. --Flechsig Adam L.US Army

Monday, June 07, 2010

The reason I chose Kevin Cahill is because I knew him. He was a neighbor and friend during my years during elementary school. I worked with his Uncle and was saddened to learn of his death in Vietnam. I will wear the bracelet to preserve his memory.

Saturday, June 05, 2010

I chose to purchase a Memorial Bracelet for a Marine that was killed in Afghanistan. I served in the Marines from 1993-1997. I was moved by a PBS special about the War on Terror and how it affected military members coming home. I already know about the affects, but to hear the stories of the two wars going on right now and the PTSd that a lot of military personnel are coming home with is staggering. I wish I could do more and help every family who has lost someone in the war going on right now. I will remember the Marine that I chose to memoralize on my arm and remember him every time someone asks me what my bracelet is. Maybe that will encourage someone else to donate money or time to help out in their own way.

Thursday, June 03, 2010

I wear a Memorial Bracelet for SGT Dale Griffin, KIA 27 OCT 2009 in AFG. I wear it because I was there when he and six other Soldiers were killed by an IED. It is a constant reminder to me on a big level of why we fight, and a reminder to always try to be the kind of stand up guy Dale was. There are lessons we learn from all the friends we have and all the friends we loose. It falls on those of us who are still here to make sure that those we have lost are not forgotten.

One of my best friends was killed on October 1st, 2009. SPC Russell Hercules, Jr. He was a great person and always knew how to make someone laugh. When he was around, there was never a dull moment. I wish everyone would have had the chance to meet him. It's especially a hard thing for me to deal with because my husband and I welcomed our first baby at 6:03 am on October 1st and I got the devastating phone call at 9pm that same night. But he died doing something he loved and believed in. The Memorial Necklace will remind me of that and it is something I will wear everyday.